Ozzy Osbourne & Corey Taylor Announce OZZFEST

May 12, 2016 | Los Angeles, CA – A few hundred lucky Heavy Metal fans were treated to a free concert and astonishing press conference on Thursday afternoon, May 12th, in Hollywood. The special occasion began with a showing of a documentary covering a Black Sabbath tour in the 90’s. Then the lights went up and Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, along with Black Sabbath bassist extraordinaire Geezer Butler shuffled onstage. They were followed by Corey Taylor and most of Slipknot, all in their iconic masks. Finally they were joined by a small army of some of the members of the biggest bands in heavy metal today. The performers all sat patiently in chairs on the stage, while the historic announcement was made and then answered question from the press and the audience.

The big announcement was the first and only two day heavy metal festival featuring a combined OZZFEST and KNOTFEST. It will also be the last time ever that Black Sabbath plays in California. All the details and line-ups (below) were revealed at the press conference today, fittingly at the historic Hollywood rock venue, the Palladium. Fans in attendance were even treated to a chance to buy special discounted tickets, before they officially go on sale. This amalgamation of two of the most well-known and established names in rock, the OZZFEST, celebrating its 20th anniversary, and the KNOTFEST, which debuted in 2012, is set for Saturday, September 24 (OZZFEST) and Sunday, September 25 (KNOTFEST) at San Manuel Amphitheater and Festival Grounds in San Bernardino, CA. Tickets for the Live Nation-produced OZZFEST MEETS KNOTFEST–a multi-stage, two-day weekend camping event with more than 40 acts, will go on sale Friday, May 20 at 10:00 AM (PT) at OZZFEST.COM and KNOTFEST.COM.

Saturday’s OZZFEST will be headlined by Black Sabbath, and Sunday’s KNOTFEST bill is topped by the festival’s namesake, Slipknot.

“This could be the one of the coolest things I’ve ever been a part of,” says Corey Taylor of Slipknot. “Starting out as an Ozzfest band, coming into our own with Knotfest and now combining forces to make a little metal history…it was meant to be and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

“Playing with Black Sabbath is always an honor,”Shawn ‘Clown” Crahan of Slipknot exclaims. “Merging both festivals will be a legendary experience that will be life-changing for all fans. We are excited to bring all the families together again.”

“We want it to be the loudest, biggest, dirtiest festival in California. We couldn’t be happier,” said a beaming Sharon Osbourne.”

Following the press conference, Zak Wylde led a trio of rockers in a thunderous performance under the moniker Zakk Sabbath. The iconic guitarist guided the band through a series of ear ringing Black Sabbath covers. The band was also joined by guest singers, Taylor of Slipknot and Disturbed singer David Draiman, leading to a Black Sabbath metal music orgy, while the Osbournes and Geezer watched from the balcony.